Flexion Distraction

Flexion distraction is a gentle chiropractic treatment that is utilized for the problems of back and neck pain. Flexion distraction is a safe alternative to back surgery and helps in relieving pain. Flexion distraction is adopted in several conditions such as Disc Herniation / Ruptured disc / Bulging disc / Herniated Disc, Failed back pain surgical syndromes, Arm pain, Neck pain, Sciatica/Leg pain, Stenosis, Whiplash and Auto Accident injuries, Chemical Radiculitis, Spondylolisthesis, Transitional segment, Headache etc. Broadly speaking, the application of flexion distraction can be for Disc related conditions and Non-disc related conditions.

Disc Related Conditions

Your spine is made up of vertebrae, discs, articulations, nerves and spinal cord. Any of these components of the spine could become the source of pain, ma be because of everyday activity, playing sports or due to an accident or injury. The vertebrae are sensitive and they become even more so if a disc that separates them degenerates or slips. This can lead to loss of pain-free motion. Flexion distraction helps in bringing the disc into a more normal position, and also helps in bringing the spine back to its normal motion. Flexion distraction also helps in enhancing ligament and muscle healing with minimal scar tissue damage.

Benefits of Flexion Distraction

Flexion distraction adjustment and manipulation generates a push-pull-pumping effect on the intervertebral disc space that leads to the following benefits:

Drops pressure in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc

Increases the height of intervertebral disc that helps in removing the tension on the annular fibers and spinal nerve, by creating more space/room and by improving circulation.

Flexion distraction helps in restoring the vertebral joints to physiological relationship of motion.

Increases the intervertebral foramen area up to 28%.

Speedy recovery from the condition of pain.

For Non-Disc related Conditions – Apart from disc related problems, there are other conditions that may cause back pain. This includes facet syndrome, scoliosis, transitional vertebrae, sprain/strain, sacroiliac restrictions and misalignment.

In the above mentioned conditions, Flexion/Distraction treatment works in the same way as treating disc-related complaints. It increases the intervertebral space and removes the annulus tension, thereby improving proper nerve transmission and blood flow. It decreases disc protrusion and reduces stenosis. It places the spinal joints in normal, painless movements so as to restore spinal motion without pain.

Most people favor this treatment as it has been shown to provide relief from severely painful conditions without undergoing surgery. This method also works as a prophylactic measure to assist in preventing disc problems in patients who are at higher risk of developing disc related complaints. Flexion & Distraction treatment improves posture, bodily functions and locomotion. The best part is, as different chiropractic techniques do not involve administration of drugs to the patients, this form of treatment does not involve any side-effects that are associated with drug usage.